The Eucharist, which was broadcasted live by BHT 1 and Radio Marija BiH, was led by the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, cardinal Vinko Puljić together with the Archbishop Coadjutor of Vrhbosna Msgr. Tomo Vukšić and with more than 75 priests who concelebrated, among whom were: Vicar General of the VN Msgr. Slađan Ćosić, Provincial of Bosna Srebrena OFM Jozo Marinčić and Secretary General of the Synod Dr. Mario Bernadić.

Multiple celebration

The Holy Mass was attended by members of the Assembly of the First Synod who, at the ceremony before the Holy Mass in the hall of the Priest’s Home of the VN, handed over to Cardinal Vinko the Final Document which they voted on November 20^th.

At the beginning, cardinal Puljić reminded that the final Holy Mass of the First Synod of VN is celebrated on the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is also the co-patron of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese. He emphasized that December 8^th is also the date of the death of the servant of God, the first Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Josip Stadler, and encouraged those present to pray for his beatification. The head of the Sarajevo Province of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Sisters of the Servants of the Child Jesus also congratulated. Explaining that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is also called the forehead of Christmas, he finally thanked the participants of the First Synod of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese.

Don’t steal people’s hope

In his homily, cardinal Puljić first spoke of Holy Mass readings in the context of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the sin that entered the history of mankind. “Sin is a reality and people have lost paradise because of it. But something wonderful comes out of God’s love. He then promises that man will not be rejected because He will send the one who will give birth and its fruit will be strength against evil”, said the cardinal emphasizing the essential greeting from the gospel “hail Mary, full of grace” which directs to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. “It is this greeting that confirms that evil will not touch the Immaculate. This feast is the dawn of salvation. God announced it to us and fulfilled it through Mary, preparing a worthy place under her heart where He will incarnate and be born for us”, he said and added that this feast indicates God’s intervention in the salvation of man and humanity. “Mary's 'here I am' is her freedom, because God prepared her way but did not take away her freedom. She said it in the house in Nazareth and under the cross”, said Archbishop Vinko, emphasizing that Mary is in the service of salvation. He further added that in today’s time of strange ideologies it is extremely important to recognize the difference between evil and sacred. “You can no longer mention Christmas or the Christmas holidays. A kind of syncretism is being created that wants to wash people’s minds and abolish their identity. That is why it is important to preserve clarity of attitudes and commitments”, said cardinal Puljić and further spoke about the end of the session of the First Synod of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese and the beginning of the implementation of synod decisions that will be published as a “program for the renewal of this local Church in these difficult times”.

“It is certain that we are greatly inspired by the servant of God Josip Stadler, who died on this day in 1918, but he left us the wonderful courage of faith: to testify and proclaim hope in spite of all temptations. The Synod is exactly that, to pray with faith and witness hope in spite of all the temptations we are experiencing”, said the cardinal and asked that “the public should not be poisoned and hope should not be stolen”. What you wish for yourself, wish it for others, so it will be easier to establish understanding. Unfortunately, this gospel has been erased and tensions are rising. Therefor I want that, with celebration of this feast and with expressing joy for the Synod of VN, to be the challenge not to get discouraged in these times”, he added, recalling Pope Francis’ words “don’t get tired”. He explained that the renewal of the local Church would not be possible without the faithful “here I am” and wished that “in the synodal process we be brave with the faith that Jesus is with us”. “Let us not extinguish the light of faith that is lit especially through Advent through the symbolism of the candle. May this candle we carry in our hearts not be extinguished so that the local Church may illuminate the face and proclaim and witness the Gospel of Christ”, said Archbishop Vinko and invited everybody to further communion which was especially evident during the Synod.

At the end of the Eucharist, which was animated by the united choirs under the direction of OFM Emanuel Jozić, the Cardinal thanked all those who contributed to the Synod and the audience sang Tebe Boga hvalimo (You God we Praise).

Let us remind, that with this Holy Mass ended a long process in the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, which began on the feast of St. Peter and Paul back in 2012. As said during the ceremonial presentation of the Final Document to Archbishop Puljić at the Priests’ Home, it is now necessary to adopt a strategy for the future both in practical terms and in the legal segment.